Close Cookie Preference Manager
Cookie Settings
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage and assist in our marketing efforts. More info

How much house can you buy before you sell?

Reviewed by Gaetano Ciambriello, NMLS #1783508 · Updated September 2026

Enter your home's value, what you owe and the price of your next home. The calculator shows how much bridge loan your equity supports (up to 80% of value, minus what you owe) and the full cost at AFC's published pricing: 2.5% origination, 1% per month paid at payoff, and $3,250 in flat fees.

Bridge loan calculator

Move the sliders or type your numbers. Everything updates using AFC's published bridge pricing.

A recent estimate or your agent's pricing opinion is fine.
Include any HELOC balance on the home.
Use the top of your range.
20% avoids mortgage insurance on a conventional loan.
The bridge term is 12 months. Interest is paid at payoff.
Your bridge loan
$0
Equity today
Bridge available
Cash needed
Cash still needed
Total bridge cost
Origination (2.5%)
Interest (1% per month, paid at payoff)
Attorney, processing and wire (flat)
Total
Have a loan officer review this

Same money from a HELOC: side by side

Enter the rate and closing costs from a real HELOC quote. The 8.5% below is only a placeholder assumption, not a quote from AFC or anyone else. HELOC interest is figured interest-only on the same amount for the same months.

AFC bridge loan

No monthly payment. Interest and fees settled at payoff. Can be opened after you list.

HELOC, same amount

A HELOC usually costs less if you can open it before you list and carry the payment. Most HELOC lenders won't open a line on a home that is listed or under contract, and the monthly payment counts against you on the new mortgage.

How we calculate this

Bridge available = 80% of your home's value minus what you owe, never below zero. Cash needed = your down payment plus an estimated 3% of the price for closing costs. Your bridge is the smaller of the two. Cost uses AFC's published pricing: 2.5% origination, 1% per month interest paid at payoff, $3,250 flat fees.

Estimate, not a Loan Estimate

This is an illustration, not an approval, a rate lock or a Loan Estimate. Your loan officer confirms value, title and your purchase mortgage before anything is final. Interest accrues daily for the days the loan is outstanding.

Representative APR

A $250,000 bridge loan held 12 months: $6,250 origination plus $3,250 in fees, $30,000 interest, $39,500 total cost of credit, about 16.4% APR. No prepayment penalty and no minimum interest. AFC Mortgage Group, NMLS #2801. Equal Housing Lender.

Send me this scenario, or have a loan officer review it

Your calculator numbers travel with the request, so our team starts from your scenario instead of a blank form. No obligation and no credit pull to see your options. Prefer to talk? Call (203) 452-9899.

Bridge loan calculator: frequently asked questions

How much can I borrow with a bridge loan?

Up to 80% of your current home's value, minus what you still owe on it. On a $650,000 home with a $240,000 mortgage, that is up to $280,000. AFC bridge loans to date have ranged from $65,000 to $1.19 million. The calculator above applies the same 80% limit.

Do I make monthly payments on the bridge loan?

No. Interest accrues at 1% per month and is paid at payoff, when your current home sells, together with the loan balance. There is no prepayment penalty and no minimum interest, so you only pay for the time the loan is open.

What if my home takes longer to sell?

The bridge term is 12 months. Each extra month adds 1% of the loan amount in interest, which the calculator shows as the cost of each extra month. On AFC buy-before-you-sell bridges, the median time from funding to payoff has been 59 days, with no defaults and no extensions to date.

Is a bridge loan cheaper than a HELOC?

Usually not in raw dollars. A HELOC typically carries a lower rate, so for the same amount and months it often costs less. The trade-offs: most HELOC lenders will not open a line on a home that is listed or under contract, and the monthly HELOC payment counts against you on the new mortgage. Enter a real HELOC quote in the comparison above to see both totals.

Does AFC fund owner-occupied bridge loans?

Yes. Most Connecticut bridge lenders you'll find are investor-only. AFC funds owner-occupied bridge loans from its own fund, and has funded 89 bridge loans since 2024. The loan is secured by real estate, typically your current home, and is paid off from its sale.

Bridge Loan Disclosures — AFC Mortgage Group, LLC

AFC Mortgage Group, LLC offers short-term bridge loans secured by a recorded lien on real estate (your current home, the new property, or both). These are secured real-estate loans — not unsecured personal or consumer loans.

No Prepayment Penalty & No Minimum Interest

There is no prepayment penalty and no minimum interest. Interest is charged only for the time your loan is actually outstanding — pay it off early and you only pay interest for the days you used the money.

Representative Example

A bridge loan of $250,000 with a 12-month term: interest accrues at 1% per month (12% annually) and is paid at payoff rather than monthly; a 2.5% origination fee ($6,250) plus approximately $3,250 in attorney, processing, and wire fees are charged at closing. Held the full 12 months, that equals an Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of approximately 16.4% — total interest of $30,000 and total cost of credit of approximately $39,500, plus repayment of the $250,000 principal at maturity (balloon). Because there is no prepayment penalty or minimum interest, paying off earlier costs less — e.g., a payoff at 6 months accrues roughly $15,000 in interest instead of $30,000.

Most bridge loans are paid off within a few months: on the same $250,000 loan paid off at 3 months, total interest is approximately $7,500, for a total cost of credit of roughly $17,000 (the $6,250 origination and $3,250 in fees are unchanged) — less than half the full-term figure. The approximately 16.4% APR above is calculated on the required 12-month basis; your actual cost depends on how long the loan remains outstanding.

Terms at a Glance

AFC Mortgage Group, LLC — licensed mortgage lender. NMLS #2801, licensed in CT, MA, RI, NH, VT, NJ and 11 other states. Equal Housing Opportunity. Rates, terms, and fees are examples only and vary by loan size, LTV, credit, and market conditions. Not a commitment to lend; all loans subject to credit and collateral approval.